Septology


Septology is a novel of seven parts by Norwegian author Jon Fosse, published between 2019 and 2021. The work is known for its minimal-punctuation narrative style and exploration of existential themes, contributing to Fosse's receipt of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2023.

Background

Fosse conceived the idea for Septology in 2015 while residing in western Norway.
A convert to Catholicism, Fosse has described Septology as an exploration of his spiritual beliefs, grappling with the nature of existence and the possibility of transcendence.

Plot

The series centers on Asle, an aging painter and widower on Norway's southwest coast. His life intertwines with that of another Asle, a doppelgänger living in the nearby city of Bjørgvin. While the protagonist leads a sober and solitary life, his counterpart struggles with alcoholism and loneliness. Fosse explores questions of identity, faith, and the human condition through their parallel existences.

Structure

The work comprises three volumes:
  • The Other Name: Septology I-II
  • I is Another: Septology III-V
  • A New Name: Septology VI-VII
The books were originally published in Norwegian and translated into English by Damion Searls.

Style and themes

Narrative technique
Fosse employs long, flowing sentences with minimal punctuation, creating a stream-of-consciousness effect. This style immerses readers in the protagonists' introspective journeys.
Major themes
  • Identity and duality: The work explores alternative life paths through its doppelgänger motif
  • Faith and spirituality: Religious symbolism and theological questions permeate the narrative
  • Art and existence: The protagonists' work as painters reflects broader existential inquiries

    Critical reception

In a review of The Other Name: Septology I-II, Harper's Magazine praised the novel as "a very strange novel, beautifully and movingly strange," emphasizing its unique narrative approach. The Times Literary Supplement noted that the series is "classic Fosse, featuring intergenerational trauma, doppelgängers, obsession, depression, childhood and, of course, that niggling issue of faith." The Guardian observed that Fosse's prose "has a hypnotic effect, and reading it becomes a meditative experience." The New York Times described the series as "a major work of Scandinavian fiction," commending its deep exploration of art, identity, and existence.

Awards and honors

Septology has garnered recognition, both in Norway and internationally. Fosse was awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature for his body of work, which includes Septology.
In July 2024, the Times selected Septology as one of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century.
Awards include: